Today is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (2/12/1809-4/15/1865). Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Born into poverty and self-educated, he became a lawyer and statesman. He led the nation through the American Civil War and succeeded in preserving the Union, abolishing slavery, bolstering the federal government, and modernizing the U.S. economy.
During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln was purportedly asked if God was on his side. He replied, “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side, my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”
Those words present a significant challenge. Too often we plan and prepare and then ask God to bless what we have planned and prepared. Sometimes we act without thought and expect God to walk through our foolishness and protect us.
He loves us, so He is by our side even when we expose ourselves to danger or act without thinking—just as we protect our children. But Lincoln’s words remind us that we should consult with God before we act and make sure we are on His side (in other words, in His will).
“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” [Romans 12:2 HCSB]
Everything in this age is geared to short-circuit that “Consult God First” action. This age wants us to be reactive, rash, hurried and self-absorbed. God wants us to take the time to actively renew our mind through His word. He wants us to discover His good, pleasing, and perfect will before we act.
That is the only way to know decisively that we are “on God’s side.”
